Monday, October 8, 2012

The Giant

Pumpkin with the 2nd biggest measurements ever comes out of the weeds today!

I've known Thad Starr for almost 4 years now and have been to his home in Oregon twice now. I built him a website 4 years ago and he has always been real good to me. His pumpkin is going to the scale right now in Half Moon Bay and I wish him the best of luck.

About three weeks ago we were talking about some of the big pumpkins (and claims for big pumpkins) that were out there. And then it occurred to me me that Thad had been pretty quiet about his own pumpkins. I said to him, "I know you guys had a cool spring but you've had a great summer up there in the Pacific Northwest. I'm guessing there is another big one growing up in Oregon that SOMEONE isn't talking about." His reply, "Ya, but my pumpkins always go light." I had to laugh.

After a few more conversations he hadn't ever elaborated but when I told him that I would be up in Oregon and that I would probably swing by he slowly revealed that he had a pumpkin estimating over 2,000 pounds!

I told him that I would help him load up his pumpkin that he would be taking to Bauman's Farm the next day. I didn't realize that this year Half Moon was the next Monday and that I would be helping him load a potential World Record with the other pumpkin. That is both an honor and kind of scary. Big prize money this year for a world-record pumpkin over one ton. Potentially $20,000-40,000 on the line as well as the claim to fame.

His pumpkin measures 459.5" OTT. That estimates to something like 2,060
pounds which would easily break the current record of 2009 pounds set
this year by Ron Wallace. The pumpkin was grown from a 1725 Harp seed and it is just a great looking pumpkin. In photographs pictures don't do this pumpkin justice. It is so symmetrical that in photos it doesn't show it's real size.

I shot some video and while at the airport I made this video because I didn't have anything else to do. Below are some pics of the pumpkins.

About This Pumpkin Blog

This blog is dedicated to anyone who loves big pumpkins. My entire pumpkin growing season is included on this site along with tips & secrets for gardening. Feel free to post a comment on any article and I will post a reply in that same comment section usually within 24 hours.